Henderson stands by push for croc safari hunts

The Territory is calling on the Federal Government to make an exception on crocodile protection rules to allow a small, high-paying industry to develop.

David Gray: Reuters

Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson has rejected the concerns of wildlife campaigner Bob Irwin over his Government's desire to allow safari crocodile hunting in the Top End.

The Territory is calling on the Federal Government to make an exception on crocodile protection rules to allow a small, high-paying industry to develop.

Mr Irwin says his son Steve would "roll in his grave" if he knew the Commonwealth was considering allowing a move which "would only benefit white fellas with big boats".

But Mr Henderson says he is very encouraged that the Federal Government is considering limited crocodile hunting.

"This is about jobs for people and, for people who live in remote Aboriginal communities, the opportunity to have tourism businesses of very high value providing safari hunting experiences to people to ... from around the world," he said.

"I personally think, as the Chief Minister, it is a great thing."

Territory Environment Minister Karl Hampton said the government has consistently supported well-managed safari hunting as a means by which Indigenous landholders can derive economic benefit from their lands.

He said federal Environment Minister Tony Burke should visit the Top End to see first-hand how safari hunting could work.

"I call on Mr Burke to do what his predecessors failed to do in the past regarding this decision ... come to the Territory and visit Indigenous communities and pastoralists who are set to benefit economically," he said.

"Safari hunting already exists on private properties and Indigenous land along similar lines that utilise a number of feral animals, including feral buffalo, banteng and pig.